The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-01-27
THE STATE AND TIE FARMERS
WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRI
-.... CULTURE is DOING.

An Interview with Commissioner Butlcr--
What He Says About tho Recent Attacks
Upon His Department.
&. ..... (From the News and Courier1
COLUMBIA, January 19.--Colonel A. P.
Butler has been the commissioner OF
agriculture of South Carolina evor since
5 his department began its work, seven
yeals ago. He is thoroughly devoted to
it and, of course, knows all its details
and shares all its aspirations. In view
of the confusion which exists in the pub
lie mind as to the duties, acts and re-
sources Of the department., and the
criticisms which have been made upon
its management, the News and Courier
Bureau hds secured an interview with
Commissioner Butler, enabling him to
summarize the situation from his stand.
point. The fever of tho "Tillman move
ment" has abated, and the people of the
State should be able to consider calmly
and justly tho valuable work Of the de-
partment, and give it the credit to which
it is entitled. Nearly a year will clapsc
before the Legislature can meet again,
and in the meantime there is plenty Of
time for discussion and no excuse for
"snap judgments" on any department of
the State Government.
TO the question, elbow has the De-
partmont of Agriculture been affected by
the attacks upon it?' Colonel Butler re-
piled:
'In my opinion the department is
stronger to day than at any time since
to the board and myself some timo be-
fore the first articles against the depart
mont appeared in the newspapers that its
work was not fully understood by the
people, but we were ut loss to know
what moro than had been done could be
done properly to show the important
duties OF the department and how they
had been discharged. We had submitted
annual reports Of our work to the. Lcgis-
lature at every session, and published
monthly reports during the year, besides
conducting an extensive correspondence: {:
but we realized that something more was
necessary to enlist the enthusiastic sup-
port Of all the farmers in the work.
Well, while We were considering the
matter an article appeared which bitter
ly assailcG the management of the de-
partment, and in such manner that il
at once extracted the attention of our
people and turned their eyes upon us.
You will see that this was exactly what
we wanted. 1t was tho opportunity that
we desired, and you will remember that
! handed you reply to the criticism
within four hours after the News and
Courier containing the criticism reached
Columbia. Your readers arc familiar
with the controversy that followed. On
my part can say that it was conducted
without the least personal bitterness,
because in the first place it WAS exactly
what L waited, and, in the second place.
felt that the result would be 4 vindica-
ton of tho department and make it
stronger with the people, as ii has done"
"Why do you think that this has been
the reslllt?"
"Well, yous will remember that the
tirst criticism appeared during the ses~
0lon in November and December, 1855,
and while tho controversy was at its
height and bitterness the members of the
board were unanimously re elected and [
was reelected commissioner. The con-
troversy, therefore, did not lessen the
confidence Of the Legislature in the
management of the department.. At the
same session the economic caucus. as if
was called, appointed CONN ittce to in.
yestigatc the department. The commit
Zee submitted q report which completely
refuted oil the charges of extraYagancc,
mismanagement, &c., that had been
made. The fight was continued along
IN the spring, and among other charges
made was that in regard to the inaugura-
lon ana no conduct of the phosphate litiga.
tlon. The Farmers Convention met and
appointed committee to investigate the
matter, and the result was q thorough
Vindicatlon of the department by this
body of farmers. Some people, how
ever, were not satisfied, and they con-
tinucd the agitation, greatly othe beno-
tit OF the department. The more thew
said, tho more the people became inter
ested i'll thq work, and as they became
familiar with it, the more anxious thew
were that it should 10 sustained, YOT
will remember also that when the apita-
ton began In 1850 q Senator introduced
q bill to abolish tho department. Before
the session was over the bill was killed
on the motion Of the Senator who intro
duced it, and he has recently declared in
the public prints that he would strenu-
ously oppose any reorganization of the
department. There is now, SO far aS
am aware, no man in the State who
would advocate the abolition OF the de
pnrtment. The public are familiar with
the efforts made at the recent session to
roorganizo the department and the fail
uro of the bill. [ may be mistaken rs to
the cause, but think its failure WAS due
to the fact that the Senate was satisfied
with the management Of the department
ana believed that the passage Of the bin
you'd be considered an endorsement Of
the charges of inelliciency that had been
1asI mSae against the present board and SO
~ "How DO you explain the largo vote
tn@E nGt ShlS Dill received III the Houso?"
ceptions, all of the old membcra Of tnr
House who had been returned we're low.
Yers,, They naturally objected TO lpcG
~ 1Pg the fight against the bill and none NJ
' the new members among tho farmer,